Funny Games (1997)

During a trip to their vacation home, a wealthy family is terrorised by two young men who torture them with sadistic games. If the story of this controversial psychological horror film sounds absurdly pointless, then you already understand its filmmaker’s intentions. Disturbing but wickedly cheeky, Haneke’s parody of a stylish ultra-violent film is the ultimate rejection of the misconception that depiction in film equates endorsement. An outright criticism of the media and certain filmmakers for turning violence into the stuff of entertainment, the film dares the audience to condemn itself by escalating in viciousness and subverting the conventions of its genre at every turn.

Cannes Film Festival: In Competition

22/11(Sun): Double-screening lecture

13:30 Benny's Video

15:45 Funny Games (1997)

With a 25-min intermission

Speaker: Long Tin (Writer, cultural curator and critic)